Wasserman Media Group has rehired Thunder Dir of Strategic Planning Jason Ranne as its new COO & Exec VP/Team Sports. Ranne, who began his career at the L.A.-based agency, will oversee the overall strategic growth and direction of the basketball, baseball, football and broadcasting/coaching management practices at WMG. Ranne will report to WMG President Mike Watts and will work out of WMG’s L.A. HQ. He started today. WMG President & CEO Casey Wasserman in a statement said, “Jason will be a strong complement to our existing team of agents. … He also brings proven principles in closing deals and a standard of practice and approach to this organization that will only advance our leadership position.” Ranne in a statement said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to rejoin Wasserman. … I have been very fortunate to work with some of the industry’s leading agents, executives and innovators and will continue Wasserman’s diligent, inventive and aggressive approach to representing the world’s best athletes.”

Ranne spent the last six years with the Wasserman Media Group, most recently as the organization’s Senior Vice President of Team Sports. In this position, Ranne oversaw the operational, legal and strategic aspects of Wasserman’s basketball, baseball and football groups as well as the athlete marketing and digital divisions related to those sports. Prior to his stint at Wasserman, Ranne spent four years as a guard on the Arizona Wildcats (2000-04), including a turn as the team captain during his senior season.